By Patrick Ochei
The Organisation For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), in collaboration with Anioma stakeholders has announced the cancellation of her 20th Anioma Cultural Festival, which was billed to hold on Easter Monday (1st April 2024), a day designated as Anioma Day worldwide.
In a world press conference held Wednesday 20th March, 2024, at Hotel Benizia in Asaba, the President of OFAAC, Arc. Kester Ifeadi, flanked by eminent Anioma Traditional Rulers, Board of Directors and Management of OFAAC, as well as other stakeholders, announced the cancellation in an emotion laden atmosphere.
Ifeadi affirmed that the Organisation had enjoyed enormous support from the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Joseph Edozien and Omu Okpanam/Omu Anioma/Nneoha, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu as Patrons since the inception of OFAAC.
He said, however, that it would be wrong of the Organisation not to recognise the unflinching support and encouragement of the duo of Asagba of Asaba and Omu Anioma over the years, which had made them eternally grateful.
“At this period when the Asagba’s burial rites of passage are still on, it would be most insensitive and lack of honour to hold the annual Cultural Festival in his Kingdom when we are still mourning considering the present mood in Asaba.
“Worthy of mention also is the contributions of the Omu Anioma, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu as a great supporter of OFAAC until she went to be with her Ancestors.
“It has become inevitable that we hereby announce the cancellation of the annual Anioma Cultural Festival for 2024 as a mark of honour and respect for the departed Anioma leaders who in their life time supported the objectives of OFAAC in every sense”, Ifeadi announced.
The OFAAC President nonetheless, appreciated their stakeholders and sponsors over the years, particularly the Delta State Government, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Grand Oak (makers of Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps), Aniocha South Local Government, etc who have even before now thrown their weight behind this year’s festival before it was regrettably cancelled.
While a minute of silence was observed in their honour, the duo of the Traditional Ruler of Ubulu-Uno Kingdom and 2nd Vice Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Obi Henry Afamefune Kikachukwu, and the Vice Chairman of OFAAC, Mr. Paddy Ugboh acknowledged the tremendous contributions of the Asagba and Omu to the advancement of Anioma culture, and equally eulogized them as beacons of rare leadership qualities across borders.